The Great American Photo Contest review: Scam and cheating 52

I'm not sure what to think I put my son in the contest, and then after realizing that I just put my son's picture out over the Internet how stupid was that, I decided I would see if there was anyway to unsubscribe or whatever to correct my mistake, anyways I went to my email and I had several emails from them first telling me that my son was chosen by a panel of judges for a book called Beautiful Baby in America, then I also received other emails saying that my son was chosen to compete in the 25, 000.00 contest. I had originally entered him into the 2500.00 contest. So now I am not sure what to think reading all this feedback makes me really leery about believing anything, however did anyone ever receive an email stating their child qualified for a bigger contest where the prize money was way more if chosen?

I was sent an e-mail that my beautiful dog Gibbs was selected for this book. they want me to send them a large amount of money for the book but never showed me the pic of him. I wouldn't pay that price for a book when I can go to Barnes and Noble get it at a discount. so I have checked Barnes and Noble web site and there is no such book. what a scam and glad I didn't send money. so now how do we make this validate? they are selling and taking money with no book.

Well when my dog passes away I thought it would be a great present for my mom to get a plaque made of our dog and we received on time with no problems :)

I THINK IT IS THE MOST [censor]EST THING EVER! WHAT PERSON WOULD DO THAT. THE FRIKEN PHOTO CONTEST WOULD AND THEY KNOW JUST WHO TO STEAL MONEY MONEY FROM PEARENTS WHO WANT TO GET PAID FOR THERE KIDS CUTENESS. I SUBMITTED A PHOTO OF DOG CRAP AND IT GOT "SELECTED" TO WIN THE PRIZE MONEY.

Just tried it & don't care to trust any of you people that seem to not know wtf is going on and probably just assume that you "won" to get in the book, which it does NOT say from the get-go, and those who seem to have been happy with them seem a LOT smarter than the ones whining and complaining, so I'll just go on the fact that my boy is cute (not just from a doting parent's POV. Nothing personal, and all babies are wonderful, but some aren't that "cute" because their parents just aren't. Get over yourself) & that I know how to handle spam without random, stranger's advice about how to deal with it (Go to your "mail options" & deal with it on your end. DUH. I mean, are we THAT freakin' lazy nowadays?!?!?), so instead of allowing any negative comments to sway me, I'm convinced that most of you are just impatient, kinda rude, not that bright... Well, anyway, sorry to sound like an employee, ad, or "mean" to the ones w/ less "fortitude", but I just say it as I see it.

Been hesitant, but my negative and positive suspicions have been confirmed. Don't get suckered and you won't get suckered. Simple. ...and you do need to love your babies, but need to be REALISTIC. If they can't sing, then HELP THEM LEARN HOW TO instead of just feeding their ego to make a fool of their poor selves on American Idol, for one example. Oh, and don't put your comments IN ALL CAPS, it makes you look... "unstable" & no one should listen to you.

Hi, OMG, THESE PEOPLE SHOULD GET REPORTED...I GOT THE SAME E-MAILS U GUYS GOT MINE ABOUT MY DOG... SOMEONE NEEDS TOREPORT THESE SCAMMERS... ITS NOT RIGHT...
THANK GOODNESS I LOOKED IT UP BEFORE I DID ANY THING, WHICH I WASNT GOING TO DO BECAUSE IF U WIN SOMETHING U SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ANYWAY...I GET FOURIOUS...
SHARON..AKA SAMANTHIA

I got the same emails this week about my dogs and I am not going to order the book online because one it's too expensive, and two because i don't trust it.
I will wait until it comes out and then check if my dogs are even in the book. If not then that sucks.
They should totally pay the people who took the pictures. It would be fair.

I got the same scam with a pet photo. I have been inundated with emails since I submitted my pet photo. They want $69.95 for a copy of the book and I pay &19.95 I can have her photo submitted for a $10, 000 drawing. There is a saying if it is too good to be true it is probably a scam. I have not responded to any of these emails. If you truely won an entry in a actually published book, you should be paid for your photo, not the other way around. Rule of thumb, never pay for a prize. That is a sure sign of a scam.

The same exact thing happened to me with my dog. I've unsubscribed from their mailing list at least three times. Isn't it against some law to keep contacting me? All I know is I've never won anything in my life so I was skeptical at best when they told me Cody's picture was chosen to be in their book. I later realized I was correct in my judgment when they wanted me to pay $65 for MY photo. I guess somewhere in the fine print I gave up the copyright to the photo when I unknowingly entered it. Otherwise I see no reason why they should be allowed to print it for a profit. It's not a big deal, but I am lightly annoyed that they keep contacting me and that I found it originally on facebook. I really wish that the facebook community would move onto another website, because doing it alone won't work and facebook continues to push the boundaries of trustworthiness when it fails to protect our privacy, tailors advertisements to our posts and other personal information, and on top of that allows websites such as this one to post advertisements to their site. They're rich anyways, they can afford to have standards. The truth is they just don't care about or privacy and by default our safety.

"The Best Photo of Pets" This is such a bunch of dog poo! Apparently my pet won some plaque and will be presented in a book aswell. All I recieved was SPAM emails and bloody fn phone calls from people who have accents from far east! My son answers the phone and yells" mom its Peggy calling again!(reffering to the fakers on a credit card rewards program commercial ) I still cant find thier link typing it in, I can only view it clicking it from my email! They are really ticking me off, Thank goodness I didnt give them any money or acct info. I just keep unsuscribing to all thier SPAM.

Say Can You Tell Me About Pets and This Group ? is My Pet Going to Be In There Book Or Was That a Lie ?
This is a Photo of My P J and I Was Told That He Was Pick To Go Into it in 2011 ?
Do Get Back to Me If You's Can - Thank You ?

I think its a rip off. I submitted a photo of my akita just yesterday via ad on FB, and after seeing all the info required just to vote hit the back button..with not a single vote He won a coveted spot in the 2010 edition, which I could reserve for $69.95..it's a sham contest to sell book orders which you may or may not ever get..They should just call it" The Book of Great American Pets With Owners That Paid $69.95 To Get Their Pet In This Book." ; P

Well, they've gone to "The Best Photo of Pets" now. Before I checked with Snopes, I entered and emailed all my friends, then linked on the page for voting. I couldn't get over all the information they required and with every requirement, I got more suspicious. At last I backed out and they have not phoned me YET. Fortunately, I was able to email all my friends and say STOP and forget about voting. In the meantime, the organizers have emailed me that my photo was judged by a panel of professional photographers. What a crock! I'm a retired graphic design teacher, and I can say it was not the greatest picture. They also want me to buy a similar book that the other "contests" profess. I'm going to try to stop these emails as soon as I finish writing.

My husband submitted our dog's picture months ago and tonight we received an email confirmation that her picture was selected to be in their 2010 Edition, The Most Adorable Pets in America. We never solicited any votes and we ourselves did not vote. They ask for $59.95 (a "wholesale" price) to reserve the book with her picture in it. They do sell these books online at Amazon but in limited supply. Wonder if you would order from Amazon if your picture is in there or if they print the books and the one they send to you they add your picture?!? I know she's cute and I don't need her picture in a book to tell me ... I'm just glad my husband thought it would be something nice. If would have been if it didn't pan out to be this scam.

I'm really glad that I found all of these posts...I entered my son into the Great American Photo Contest (thinking that it was a legitimate website). Within the next day or so I got 9 emails telling me that he had been chosen to appear in some nationally published book. And in each email, there were tons of links leading to God only knows where! I didn't click a damn thing, once I read down to the bottom of the page, directly underneath all the offers for some 25, 000 dollar winning prize, there was a teeny tiny little mention of an entry fee, and it was stated so subtly ("oh, by the way...") that it made it even more glaring. This is an awful scam. It takes a sick twisted mind to sit there and conceive of ways to sucker proud parents into spending hard earned money, all the while using children like bait. And now these damn emails won't stop! It's a lose-lose situation. I wouldn't even advise anyone to enter their child's picture on that hell hole of a website, greatamericanphotocontest.com. Load of crap. Unbelievable! %&^*^&%^

So, does or has anyone ever won the $1000 grand prize that they promise? I also received this email but did not send money.

I just recieved 2 emails saying my dog's picture was chosen to be in this book.. like people have said.. why do we have to pay for this book? they should be paying us something and then selling their book... also if you read to "fine print" at the bottom of the page.. it's pretty clear that you have to buy this so called book to have your picture printed in it.. also.. how come we can't buy books from years past?

FOUND ON THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE WHERE YOU GIVE THEM YOUR CREDIT CARD INFO.. "This book has not yet been published so please allow several months for printing. Ordering a copy now will ensure that your pet's photo will be included in the current edition. """Photos of pets whose guardians ""do not order books"" for the current printing run "may be included in a future edition" at the editor's discretion.""" Did you read it? those who DO NOT order the book.. they photo "MAY" be included in a future adition" hahahaha RIGHT!

I Don't know but they sent me an email saying my dog Blackly Preza won and will be in a book! After clicking on this site I don't know what's real of fake but what if they will actually put my dog in a book then what? Do you know what this might mean for me and my family? $65.00 is a lot of money but this could be my chance to make my puppy a star! She's a year old black and white and grey Chiwawa one of the cutes dogs i've ever seen loves people especially little kids! Blackly was a rescue I found her when she was only a couple of months old with a leg that was broken in 3 places, Super Skinny, Dropped on her head, Her little chin had a scrape under neath it from where she fell and hit it and she has an under bite but i think that makes her look cute Ive spent hundreds of dollars on her. When I took her to the Doctors they referred me to a specialist who told us that if her leg didn't heal that they would be forced to cut it off. Do I think this book is worth it? Who wouldn't I know and belive my little doggie is Priceless and has been through so much it's a miracle her leg is healing and that they didn't have to cut the leg off. I'm going to take a chance I'm not going to give up and I know that Blackly Deserves to Be in that Book so I'll pay the money and when I recieve my Book I'll right back letting everyone one know on this site and everyone's thats willing to listen that this is NOT a scam and is REAL!

I filled out the form for the cutest pets with my cat's picture. When I got to the voting page and realized that you had to enter your cell phone number to vote I said "Forget it." and closed my browser. I got an email today saying that Josie was chosen to be in the book. How can she have been chosen when I didn't even vote for her? Based on what everyone else is saying here, I'm glad I never gave them my phone number.

I suspect that the greatamericanphotocontest people are self publishers. They get a bunch of people to submit pictures and some people fill out surveys, etc so the company gets kickbacks from that, and then they send out announcements to everyone, not that they one the money prize, but that they have been chosen to be in the book.

If you want a copy of the book, you pay the amount and when they get enough orders, they print up a run of books with the latest good photos in it. If you want a profile added, you pay $10.00 more.
Then they send the books out to everyone that ordered it. Not bad if you want a keepsake of your child, or in my case, my dog.

I am a little nervous about the person who paid and continues to see withdrawals coming from her account, otherwise, if you find value in the product, it is probably a good thing. Self publishing at it's finest. Not a bad business strategy, though it feels a little slimey. Kinda like Who's Who's for kids and pets.

I too entered this contest from face book and I too got an email the this morning wanting to put my Puppies phone in a book for 69. then 10 extra to say something about him. I too almost fell for it, but because we are on a set income a scam would wipe my hole family out. I did send an email to them and asked what state and city this company is in so I could call the enforcement in that city and ask if they know of such a company or is it a scam. I told them once I talked to the law enforcement ( I will find that number my self so I know there real) and they know of such place and it is real then I would buy the book, but not until. So funny have not heard back from them as of yet.

Same with I ALMOST sent money to see my pet's picture in the book but...I decided to look and see what ppl were saying on the internet! My gratitude to all of you who help us become aware of the scams!

I entered the same Great American Photo Contest with a photo of my dog (saw the ad on Facebook). I only sent one email asking for votes, I think he received 4 votes. I ALSO received an email congratulating me that he was selected. The email stated for the sum of $69.95 plus shipping I can buy the book with his photo and for an additional $10 I can say a few words. I definately got bitten by the scam. It is a shame to use people's pets as bait. They will not get a cent from me.

I got the same thing also, DogMom.
I figured if they want to publish my picture in a book, then I should get the book for free.
I'm not sending them anything!

I submitted my 2 dogs for the cute pet photos contest. Then I found out you had to solicit votes yourself, so I thought, "Forget it" and never asked anyone to vote; therefore, the dogs had no votes at all. Nevertheless, the photo somehow "won" and they "want to" include it in their expensive book, so they've told me with dozens of emails. They can even be entered into a $10, 000 contest..IF I send money up front. They probably really do put your pet's picture in the book, but it's nothing more than a vanity press. This is a mean money-making scheme and a dirty trick for those who love their pets and/or kids, AND make an honest living.

Through facebook I submitted my dog in a cute pets contest. Hes an adorable corgi who passed on now. After I sent it my mom and family tried to vote for him. Couldnt do anything they said. Then I recently got a letter from the editor of the Great American Photo Contest saying the editor of the book wanted to use my photo in the Most Adorable Pets in America book. When I tried to click on the picture they say Sorry we cant reconize you. Then it askes for my email and password. And there is no photo. They say I cant log in or reserve a copy at this time. Im beginning to think thats a good thing after reading these complaints. Its so disheartning! I thought I was gonna have a great treasure to rember my little guy by. I thought I could always think of his as being beautiful to people even after hes gone...:( Thats ok I guess, AKC has sent use a commeoritive plaque for all the hard work and funding he did. :)

LOL they sent me one that my dog's picture is in the 2010 most adorable pets book. I guess I didn't read the fine print because I'm annoyed that MY picture of MY dog is being published in their book for their profit. It's a rip.

Anyway, glad that it's just my dog and not my kid. Make your own book with tons of pics of your own kid and it'll probably cost you a lot less. Who wants a book with a bunch of other people's kids' pictures anyway?

I say buyer beware. I'm glad I didn't bite.

I havent put any money into this yet...and i dont think that i will...i love my son and i know hes cute and i dont have to pay 80$ for some website to tell me hes cute...its driving me crazy because ive seen mixed emotions online some say great american baby is legit and some say its a scam, but id rather not take that chance...

I just purchased book for $81.95. Never have really got scammed on the phone. well, If I get the book with my sons picture in it, I guess I will have at least received something. Main thing I realized is none of them speak english, per say, and I talked with 4 different people and demanded to talk to a caucasion person, and they have no one. Then they offer money back gurantee, plus it takes 3-6 months to receive book. I wish I didn't do this. but maybe the book (if I receive) will bring good memories. man.

YES! PLEASE let me know as well. I received the e-mail yesterday to have my daughter included in the 2010 edition of the book but it kept saying that their was an error and to contact costumer service after going back and forth twice i got to the enter your credit card to purchase part and notice NO WHERE on their site are their any contact phone numbers and none of my costumer service e-mails were signed by a person only "costumer service department". I wrote back stating I would prefer to speak with a live person that to be directed to a link to enter my credit card information. I requested them to give me a direct contact number. Waiting to hear back...Has anyone ever actually talked to a live human being or received this book...honestly?

i entered my daughter to the contest now they are calling me from a

number([protected] and his name is phillip. offering a book where

where her picture is going to be for the 2010 edition i have already been

scamed by universal reading services. and learned my lesson. but if the

book is not going to be in book stores libraries its probably a scam or those

anybody know if you can find the book editions in the book stores or library?

SCAMMER!

I ALSO ENTERED MY DAUGHTER IN THE GREAT AMERICAN PHOTO CONTEST. THEY SENT ME E-MAILS SAYING THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS BEEN CHOSEN TO BE PUBLISHED IN A BOOK.. BUT WHY WOULD YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE THE BOOK IF YOUR CHILD WON? OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SCAM AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES! HOW LOW CAN SOMEONE GO YO MAKE A QUICK DOLLAR?

I TOTALLY AGREE.. I TOO ENTERED THE CONTEST AND RECEIVED THE SAME E-MAILS! HOW LOW CAN SOME PEOPLE GO? ITS HORRIBLE AND THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!

They emailed me the same thing. then this weired Indian guy called my phone from an unknown num and said i had 2 pay a fee of 19.99 if i wanted my baby win. I told them no thanks and i changed my mind. Every contest i ever entered was free and no fee. I made my own scrapbook for my baby free of charge! Scamers!

Great American Photo Contest is a SCAM!

I submitted a picture of my son and then got very suspicious after they kept asking me to participate in so many things. I have received so much spam email since I signed. I have read a lot more about this online and decided to remove my account. There is a place for you to delete the photo but once you try to submit that request it tells you "OOOPS ... we couldn't find the requested page !" and there is no place to remove or deactivate your account.

I know someone else that submitted a photo of their child and I tried to tell her that is was a scam and she came back and said it wasn't. All I can say is when she gets burnt (per say) I did my part and tried to warn her.

I bought the plaque because I thought it was nice. But I'm not authorizing them to put my daughter's picture in a book. Hopefuly I will get my plaque in 7-10 business days.. Will keep you posted.

I don't know what to do, yes I received the email wanting me to purchase the plaque. Now they are calling me several times a day wanting me to buy the book! I keep asking them " I am really going to get a book or is it a scam?", so far all they do is hang up on me!
LN76

I entered my son into this contest, and 3 hours later I received and e-mail saying that he had won, no one had voted yet other than my inital vote when I entered him. Then I also got an e-mail wanting me to buy a book and some plaque. When I realized what this was I called their "customer service" and had to get really nasty and threaten a law suit in order for them to take my son picture off the site. I was told that once I put his picture up they could use it on any of the advertisement. NOT TRUE they did state that condition in the sign up terms!
I in no way want my sons picture floating in cyberspace and reget ever doing this and will never put my children's picture on the internet again! I know most parents would feel the same way if they thought someone was using their child's photo for god know what and you had no idea. It is every parent worst nightmare!
Please send this on, parents need to know!

if u ask me we shud be the ones getting paid 2 hav our babies pics in the book. its completely messed up. i thought that at least the plaque would be free. we shud be pid 4 making such cute babies :(